Balancing Act: 5 Practical Tips To Having It All From Our Fave Celebrity Parents

Even with the chauffeurs, the nannies, and the billion dollar bank accounts, celebrities are by no means immune to the problems that seem to plague every parent, like the never ending pursuit of a perfectly balanced life; aka “having it all.” Whether you’re Jennifer Lopez or Jenny from the block (or both), the truth is, parenting is hard work, and having a successful relationship and career on top of that is even harder. The good news? You’re not alone.

We’ve put together a few practical tips from some of our fave celeb parents on how they manage to make it work. Best of all; no nannies required.

If Family’s First, You’re a Really Close Second. For most parents, kids and family come first – often, before your own needs — and getting out of that mindset can be difficult. So, if your children are your first priority, make sure that YOU are a close second, and commit to scheduling as much time for yourself as you do for your loved ones and your other responsibilities.

I know for me, family is first and I just make sure that I spread my time amongst the things that I love to do as well. Balance is never achieved, it’s just maintained. And so far, I’ve been able to maintain it.”

Get Real! “When I was a new mom, I used to think that life was going to be balanced, and I strived for that,” shares actress Brooke Burke, who, like millions of other moms around the world, found herself trying to live up to some pretty unrealistic standards. But as the Dancing with the Stars co-host soon realized, “Life is crazy! I’ve got two little ones a year apart – my daughter Rain, 4, and my son, Shaya, 3—and two older daughters—Neriah, 11, and Sierra, 9—and a million things to do. I gave up on the expectation that everything was going to be picture-perfect.”

Simply acknowledging that as awesome as the woman down the street seems with her perfect coif and homemade everything, there’s no such thing as Super Mom. That alone can go a long way in helping you to set your priorities, relieve stress, and keep you from locking yourself in the bathroom until the kids tire themselves out and fall asleep on their own.

Don’t Try To Go It Alone. As a parent – especially for women – it’s sometimes easier to request a root canal than it is to ask for help running the household; even if we know we need it. But as Fraiser alum Jane Leeves says, “I think it takes a village. I have so much support. I have an incredible husband who is extremely hands-on and has sort of taken a backseat to my work. He’s Mr. Mom most of the time.”

Keep It In the Family. It’s not always possible, but if you’re fortunate enough to have close friends and family members nearby that are willing and able to lend a hand – use them! Doing so can help eliminate at least a little bit of the mom-guilt; especially if you’re able to return the favor to another parent in need.

I have a really supportive family,” explains Leeves. “I have a sister who lives here, and when my daughter started pre-school, she has a daughter the same age, so she’d take them both to preschool and pick them up. So my kids have always been with family.”

It’s About Time. Striking the right balance with anything requires a little bit of planning. Being organized and punctual makes it easier for you to use your time wisely, and keeps you from adding unnecessary stress to your everyday activities.

“I’m realistic about what I can achieve because I can’t stand that feeling of constantly rushing and being late,” reveals model mama Cindy Crawford. “I feel like I’ve finally found a good balance and even have a little time left over for myself.”

And who couldn’t use a little “me time”?!

For a weekly dose of reassurance (and a lot of laughs), check out NBC’s new comedy Up All Night, starring Christina Applegate and Will Arnett as their characters, Reagan and Chris, struggle to find their own balance as new parents, even if they have to sacrifice a little thing called sleep to find it!

Up All Night, also starring SNL alum Maya Rudolph, premieres Wednesday, September 14 on NBC.

This post is sponsored by UP ALL NIGHT…Life is all about balance. So what happens when you throw a new baby into it? Find out, series premiere Wednesday September 14 on NBC.